The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recently approved Ashford University's eligibility for continued access to GI Bill funds, the latest in a long-running saga over the school's access to veterans education benefits, according to Politico.
The agency, "acting in its capacity as the California State Approving authority, has conducted a thorough review of Ashford University's application" and approved 71 of 91 programs at Ashford for GI Bill eligibility. The VA, in a statement, said it approved Ashford on Feb. 14, but "declined to approve 20 programs that were either in the process of being voluntarily discontinued by Ashford or failed to meet one or more of the statutory requirements for approval."
"There will be no immediate impact to the estimated 250 students enrolled in the 20 programs that were not approved in this decision because those programs currently remain approved by the Arizona State Approving Agency," the VA said.
Ashford University, a primarily online institution based in California, is the nation's 13th-largest recipient of GI Bill funds, according to VA data.
The state of California previously challenged Ashford's eligibility for GI Bill funds after trying to rebuff efforts by the online university to obtain approval to enroll veterans using the GI Bill, reported Politico. State officials said they declined to act on the application because the state's attorney general has accused the school of defrauding students as part of an ongoing lawsuit.
Related Links
Politico
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/morning-education/2020/02/18/ashford-university-approved-for-gi-bill-eligibility-785471
Politico
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/morning-education/2020/02/19/bloomberg-pitches-justice-centers-at-hbcus-on-eve-of-first-debate-785511